Morning Round-up: Raising the banner edition

Big day today.  The Tampa Bay Rays will unfurl the 2008 American League championship banner in front of the visiting New York Yankees before tonight's game.  What a switch! Who would've imagined that this could be possible at this time last year?  Rays/Yankees games at the Trop used to be like a southern home game for the boys in pinstripes. Now, they're coming to a hostile environment with a sold out crowd ready to cheer the Rays.

From a baseball stand point, this is another big early series for the Rays.  There is no question that the Yankees are a talented team.  The key for them is how are the Yankees going to come together as a team. I believe any early season success they have will not bode well for the rest of the American League East.  That's why it's so important for the Rays to take advantage.  Get the Yankees to press. Get in Joe Girardi and Hank Steinbrenner's head. Show the Yankees that despite all the money and moves they made this offseason... the little team from Tampa Bay with the smaller payroll is still the better team.

Here's today's Morning Round-up and as usual my comments are in italics:

The Baltimore Sun bemoans the fact that the Orioles couldn't sweep the Rays.  Give the Orioles credit. After 2 series against the Rays and Yankees they're 4-2. I don't think they're going to hang around for very long, but they are a scrappy team with some very good players.  Maybe the Red Sox will get a taste in a couple days.

The writers over at Trop Talk have a good post-game break down as they get ready for their trip to Tropicana Field tonight. They make a good point about Longoria's pitch recognition this year. It seems Longo is making an adjustment to the adjustment pitchers made on him at the end of last year. Isn't that part of baseball great?

From the other side: Yankee fan comments on this blog show just how much Yanks fans are concerned about their manager and his decision.  I know these are only fan posts but I really enjoy reading how Yankee fan is melting down. One of the big concerns for the Yanks is who's going to get the ball to Mariano Riveria.  Joba Chamberlain is the 5th starter, so he's out. Now, they have to figure out a way to get through the 7th & 8th. I hope those bullpen issues continue this week!